Hope Society, a national nongovernmental organization has Tuesday last week called on citizens to embrace unity as the country commemorated the seventh anniversary of tragic 15th December 2013 incident that killed thousands, destabilized security and polarized South Sudanese along ethnic lines.
The event that attracted hundreds South Sudanese from different cultural and geographical background aimed at bringing back unity and lasting harmony among the 64 tribes of South Sudan.
“The Hope Society is deeply concerned about unity of the people of South Sudan. As today (Tuesday) marked seven years since December 15, 2013 seen as the beginning of our difference, we want to use the day to bring people back to live together in peace.
“Yes, people were targeted on ethnicity and many people lost their lives, it is a past thing that cannot take us anywhere if we maintain it in our hearts and hate one another, unity is what is needed now,” Deng Aling, Founder and Executive Director of Hope Society said.
The event which witnessed different music, drama and cultural dances was organized under the theme “Advancing the Role of Arts and Culture in Nation-building through Flags and Banners as Voices Project.”
In December 15, 2013 fighting broke out in Juba between presidential guards and later took shape of ethnicity and spread to all parts of the country, killing thousands and displacing millions to neighboring countries.
Though a revitalized deal was inked in September 2018 between the government and opposition groups, both parties are still struggling with the implementation to pave way for people to return and rebuild their livelihoods again.
Deng said the initiative also sought to deter young people from hostile behavior that destabilize security by engaging them in arts and building their capacity to become self-reliance.
“One reason for rampant insecurity is idleness among the youths. So, building their capacity and involving them in positive activities is significant. They will be busy and do away with hostility,” Deng said.